Support for drilling machines



March 3, 1936. A, R. LAWR'ENCE 2,032,940 I SUPPORT FOR DRILLING MACHINES Filed Jan. 2l, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Afri/Zo? ZaW/w/ce Ew ,/iE ,1,5 df/m@ @w /S ATTO RN EY March 3, 1936. A, R| AwRENcE VSUPPORT FOR DRILLING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2l, 1933 an wlL. w

March 3, 1936. A, R, LAWRENCE I SUPPORT FOR DRILLING MACHINES s shee'ts-sneet 3v Filed Jam. 2l, 19.35

INVENTOR my@ E BY l .lmwm/ 173 ATTORNEYS Yatented Mar. 3, 1936 PATENT GFFICE SUPPORT FOR DRILLYING MACHINES Archibald R. Lawrence, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Application lJanuaryll, 1933,"Serial No.f652v,885

20 Claims.

This invention relates to supports or supporting mechanism for drilling machines such as are used in mines for loosening ore, coal or other material from the formation in which it is found,

5 or for the purpose of drilling holes in the forma.-

tion to facilitate the employment of explosives in loosening the material.

Such drilling machines must be firmly supported while in operation to permit them to drill effectively. It is customary to support them either on a vertical column or upon a cross arm attached to the column. The column is set up in proximity to the formation to be drilled, and the drill is moved from time to time up or down the column in order to reach as much of the material as possible Without moving the column. When a cross arm is used, it is adjusted up or down the column and the drilling machine is adjusted to diierent positions along the cross arm so as to increase the radius of operations.

In order to secure the cross arm in position at any given elevation on the column, it is necessary to set up a number of large nuts on bolts arranged to clamp the cross arm to the column. Similar bolts and nuts are also arranged to clamp the drilling machine to the cross arm, and an especially long wrench is used for tightening and loosening vthese nuts. To change the angular position of the drilling machine, a clamp is provided which grips the conical base of the drill carriage, this clamp being held tight by means of a king bolt and nut. The amount of labor involved in shifting the position of the drill is very considerable as it requires great physical strength to both loosen and tighten the nuts. The general practice is to have a second operator or helper whose only work consists of the drudgery of handling the wrench. Even when the bolts are set up as tightly as possible by hand, however, it not infrequently happens that the clamping is insuflicient to prevent the drilling machine from moving out of place during its operation.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a drilling machine support from which are 45 eliminated clamping devices involving the use of at the same time will hold the drill securely in any position to which it is moved, and to pro`v 55 vide `a mechanismof sturdy construction which will .withstand the rough usage to which it must necessarily be subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a supporting mechanism which is adapted to support drilling machines of standard construction 5 K so that it is unnecessary to modify these machines in order that they may be used upon the supporting mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide supporting mechanism in which by means of a single manipulation the drilling machine may be released for shifting angularly as well as bodily, and likewise reclamped in its new position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a supporting mechanismwhich is capable of producing 'ample clamping pressure ybetween the various parts without rendering the apparatus cumbersome and diiiicult to handle, and also without restricting the range of drilling of the drilling machine. y

AThe invention will be understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of two embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a View in elevation of my improved drilling machine supporting mechanism;

Fig. 2 represents a view in elevation looking at the end ofthe supporting arm shown in Fig. 1 and including only a portion of the column;

Fig. 3 represents a cross-sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 to show the construction ofthe holding device by means of which the drill is mounted on the supporting arm;

Fig. 4 represents a top'plan view of the holding device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 represents a cross-sectional view taken on' the horizontal planeindicated by line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 represents a cross-sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated bythe line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 represents a cross-sectional View taken on Vthe verticalplane indicated by line 1--1 of 45 Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 "represents an enlarged cross-sectional vieiv taken on a vertical plane indicated by the line 8-8 vof Fig. 6, through the valve mechanism.

Figs. 9 and 10 represent enlarged vertical sections taken longitudinally through the respectiye members of the Valve;

Fig. 11 represents a perspective View of certain of the actuating parts;

Fig. 12 represents a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a modified form of mechanism;

Fig. 1 3 represents a cross-sectional view taken on a vertical plane indicated by the line I3-I3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 represents a cross-sectional view taken on a vertical plane indicated by line I 4-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 represents an enlarged cross-sectional View of one of the parts shown in Figs. 12 and 13; and

Figs. 16 to 19, inclusive, are views representing two modified forms of one of the parts of the apparatus.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated in connection with a vertical supporting column I used in underground Work and adapted to be fixed in position by means of a plate 2 which bears against a beam or other available object at the ceiling and by means of a jack 3 at the bottom which rests' 0n the floor of the mine. A horizontal arm 4 extends to the right of column I and carries the drilling machine 5 which is attached to this arm by a holding device 6; Arm 4 has a bracket I which surrounds column I. In accordance with my invention bracket 'I is held inany given position` upon column I by means of radially movable engaging elements or segments 8 which are provided with means, to be described, for moving them inwardly to disengage them from the base 'I and outwardly to engage them therewith with sufficient pressure to hold the arm 4 in place.

Similarly arm 4 is provided with radially movable segments 9 which can be engaged and disengaged from the lower portion of holding device 6, this device being so constructed that the movement of the segments 9 actuates the members of holding device 6 to cause them to clamp and hold the base or cradle of the drilling' machine 5, as will presently be described in greater detail. The movement of the segments 8 and 9 both to their clamping and to their'release positions is accomplished by fluid pressure, utilizing whatever medium is available in the particular mine, whether air or water.

The movement of the segments 8 of the column is controlled by means of a valve mechanism indicated generally at I0 and provided with an operating handle II, the pressure fluid being supplied through a hose connection I2. The segments 9 on the arm 4 are controlled by means of a separate valve indicated'generally at I3 having an operating handle I4 and supplied with pressure fluid through the hose connection I5.

The column I and the arm 4 may conveniently be made of piping in accordance with the usual practice. 'Ihe rectangular segments 8 and 9 project through rectangular slots cut in the piping. The segments are arranged in slightly spaced relation throughout the entire length of the column and of the arm, so that the arm may be supported closeto the ground 0r close to the ceiling or'in any intermediate position and so that the drilling machine may be placed at any point throughout the length of the arm. It will be understood that the holding device 6 and the bracket I may be placed each over a single segnient as shown in Fig, Vl, or they may be arranged so as to bridge the gap between two adjacent segments so that the clamping pressure will be exerted by two segments instead of one.

'I'he width of bracket 'I and of holding device 6,V

however, is preferably such that it is impossible Aof the column and arm as shown in Fig. 3. If

desired, however, only a single row of segments may be used. Also, such row may be placed along the bottom or top of the arm 4 instead of along the side of the arm. When the segments are retracted they are substantially flush with the surface of the cylindrical arm and column (as shown in Fig. 7) and when they are moved outwardly to clamping position they extend beyond the surface of the column (as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and certain of the other figures of the drawings).

The holding device 6 comprises a pair of upright jaws I6 and I'I held in approximately parallel pivoting relation by means of an H-bolt I8.

All three of these members can conveniently be made of cast steel and have ample cross-sectional area at all points to withstand the comparatively large stresses which are set up in them when the drilling machine is held in clamped position.

The lower portions of jaws I6 andV I1 are substantially semicircular in shape so as to nearly surround the arm 4. The curvature of their inner surfaces substantially tsthe curvature of segments 9 so that the lpressure will be uniform throughout the area of contact. The upper portions of jaws I6 and I'I are provided with c0- acting semi-circular dove-tailed formations I9 and 20 which grasp a standard conical base 2I projecting downwardly from the cradle of the drilling machine 5.

The H-bolt I8 which connects the jaws I6 and I1 is received within recesses 22 and 23 in the respective jaws. 'I'he downwardly extending portions of these recesses permit the entrance of the two heads of the H-bolt, and the horizontal portions are flared slightly as indicated so as to permit the necessary pivotal movement of the jaws with respect to the H-bolt.

It will be understood that when the segments 9 are extended to the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the lower portions of the jaws I6 and I1 are thereby forced apart, while the upper portions are forced towards one another, clamping the dove-tailed formations I9 and 28 firmly against the conical base 2I of the drill. When, however, the segments 9 are retracted, the lower portions of jaws I6 and I'I'are loosened from these segments and the dove-tailed formations I9 and 20 release their pressure upon conical base 2|, the pressure upon all of these parts being eased to a sufficient extent so that the drill 5 may be swung about theY conical base 2I as a pivot tochange its angular position and the holding device 6 may be slid bodily along the arm 4 to move the drill to a different position on the arm.

The mechanism for effecting the radial movement of segments 8 and 9 is illustrated more particularly in Figs 5, 6 and 11 of the accompanying drawings. Mounted at the center of Iarm 4 and extending substantially throughout its length there is a cam actuating rod 24 upon which are fixed at spaced points along the same, double opposed cams 25 and 26, there being one of each of such cams foreach pair of segments 9. Segments 9 are provided at each end with inwardly projecting legs 2I and 28 upon the ends of which are cam surfaces 29 and 30 which coact with the cams '25 and 26. Hence, as actuating rod 24 isV moved to the right, segments 9 will be forced outwardly. Cams 25 and 26 and cam surfaces 29 and 30 are moreover provided with interengaging surfaces such, for example, as the dove-tailed connections 3| shown in Figs. 11,3 and 7 Therefore, when actuating rod 24 is moved to the left, segments 9 will be positively retracted.

Actuating rod 24 is moved by means of a plurality of pistons 32 mounted in spaced relation on the actuating rod, and surrounded by cooperating cylinders 33. These pistons and cylinders are placed respectively between each diametrically opposed pair of segments 9, the space between the feet 21 and 28 on the segments being utilized for the reception of these cylinders. Each of these cylinders is provided at each end with stufng boxes 34 and 35, as indicated in Fig. 5 to prevent the escape of the operating fluid.

In order to hold the cylinders 33 in xed position with respect to the hollow arm 4, they are provided on their opposite sides with bosses 36 (Fig. 3) which project outwardly into contact with the ,interior wall of arm 4. 'Ihese bosses are tapped in their outer surfaces to receive holding screws 31 which are inserted from the exterior of the arm.

`It will be understood that iiuid pressure is admitted simultaneously to corresponding ends of all of the cylinders 33, and inasmuch as the holding device 6 of the drill 5 is usually placed over a single pair of segments 9, the pressure upon al1 of the pistons 32 is exerted on a single pair of segments. Therefore, sufcient clamping pressure is Obtained with cylinders of comparatively small diameter which can be received within the drilling arms of standard size, and utilizing an air pressure, for example, of 75 to 85 pounds per square inch as is usually employed in mines for the operation of the drilling machines.

Cams 26 and their coacting feet 28 are made longer than c ams 25 and feet 21 in order to reduce the length of the central unsupported portions of the segments 9. In fact, the space between the feet 21 and 28 will be made only sufficient to accommodate the air cylinders 33 and allow clearance to facilitate the assembly of the parts.

To convey iiuid under pressure to the several cylinders 33, ducts or conduits 38 and 39 extend longitudinally of .arm 4, as may be seen in Fig. 6, and these may be placed respectively below and above the cylinders. Connections 40 place duct 38 in communication with the left-hand ends of each of cylinders 33, and connections 4I serve a similar purpose with respect to duct 39 and the right-hand ends of the cylinders. y

The control valve I3 may be placed at either the inner or the outer end of arm 4, and for convenience it is shown in the drawings atthe outer end. In practice the control valve will be placed at the inner end of arm 4 adjacent base 1, the valve handle projecting through a slot in the arm. This affords greater protection to the valve against damage in handling the supporting mechanism, and simplifies the lubrication of the operating mechanism which will be described below.

ValveI3 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The stationary member 42 of this valve is shown in `detail in Fig. 9 and the movable member 43 in Fig. l0. Stationary member 42 is a cylindrical body which is received within the end of arm 4 which is machined so as to provide a shoulder and packing ring 42 to prevent the passage or air. The member is held in position by means of screws 44. Member 42 has a conical valve surface 45 with which a complementary conical surface 46 on rotatable valve member^43 coacts. Rotatable member 43 is p-rovided with two inlet ports 41 and 48 which extend throughthe member parallel with its operating shaft ,49 upon which itis mounted. A side viewof one of these ports is shown in Fig. 10, and an endview of each ofthe ports is shown in Fig. 8, which also shows their angular relationship. member 43 also has two exhaust slots 50 and 5| in its conical surface. A side view of voneof these slots is shown in Fig. l0, and the outli-ne representing the end View of each of these slots is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.' 'Ihis view also shows their angular. relationship.Y

In stationary valve member 42 thereare ,two through ports 52 and 53 extendinggfrom the conical valve surface 45 through the Valve* member and communicating respectively AWithducts, Member 42 also has a .central air.

38 and 39. passage 54 at the apex of its conical valve surface 45.

In Fig. 6 the handle I4 of the valve has been turned to they position for causing ,the segments 9 to be moved outwardly to clamping orengaging position, and the pistons 33 are shown as having been moved to this position both in Fig. 6 and Fig. 5. The air enters from the hose connection I5 which admits it into a vV-shaped circular passageway 55 in the outer surface of rotatable'valve member 43 which is in communication with both of ports 41 and 48. As port 41 is opposite port 52 in stationary valve member 42, the air isconveyed to port 41 and thence through port 52'into duct 38 `and through connections 48 tothe lefthand ends of each of the cylinders 43, `thus moving pistons 33 to the positions indicated.;

VIn order to allow the escape of air from-the right-hand ends of cylinders 33 during this movement of the pistons, exhaust slot 5I isin alignment with port 53, thus allowing the air from' ductA 39 to pass through port 53 in the exhaust slot 5I and thence as shown by the arrows in Fig. 6 into air passage 54 at the center of stationary valve member 42 and thence into the -interior of arm 4 from which it escapes to the atmosphere through an aperture 56. Y

It will be understood that whenvalve member 43 `is shifted counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 8, inlet port 48 will be brought over'port 53 of stationary valve member V42. This will;also bring exhaust slot 50 opposite port 52, landin this position of the valve, just the reverse operation will take place, that is, the left-hand sides of cylinders 33 will be connected to atmosphere,`

and the air pressure from hose connection I5 will be admittedto the right-hand sides, thereby moving actuating shaft 24 to the left and retracting the segments 9;

If valve handle I4 is shifted inthe opposite Adirection, i. e., to rotate valve member 43 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 8, all ports will be flanked with the segments in clamped position. This is important in case of failure of the air supply.l

The mechanism for actuating the segments Y8- of column I is the same as that which'has just been described for actuating the segments` 9 'of thev arm 4, and it is thought necessary to refer only briefly to this mechanism. The actuating rod is shownat 51 in Figs. 5 and 6, and two of the operating cylinders are indicated at 58, one of these being shown in dotted lines .in Fig.` 1. Air ducts 59 and 68 communicate with control Valve I0 located rat the bottom of column Ias previously mentioned. This valve is VVof ysimilar 5 Rotatable..

. cams 62 and 63, and these segments are thereby forced outwardly into frictional engagement with the interior surfaces of the hollow cylindrical bracket 1 which forms a solid massive ring surrounding column I. Y Y

Arm 4 is secured in any appropriate way to this bracket, and as shown in the drawings bracket 1 is provided with a threaded extension 64, the end of the arm being screwed on to this extension. The arm and bracket may also be e; welded together, or thebracket may beY in the form of a two-part clamp bolted together as in the present practice.

In order to lubricate the several cam surfaces, actuating rod 24 is drilled longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 5 at 16, and branchpassageways lead from this central passageway to each of the surfaces of the double opposed cams and 26 as indicated. When actuating member 24 is moved to its opposite position from that shown in Fig. 5, a cross passageway 11 which communicates with passagewayV 16 is brought into alignment with a Vpassageway 18 into the outer end of which a lubricant connection 19 is tapped. To this a'lubricant gun supplying semi-solid lubricant under pressure may be attached. Y

With this arrangement all of the friction surfaces can be lubricated simultaneously and very quickly, and at the same time it is impossible to lubricate them without moving them to release ,position where there will be no pressure between the surfaces, thus insuring that they will all receive lubrication.

With valve I3 located at the inner. end of arm 4, as above mentioned, cross passageways 11 and 18 can be eliminated, and passageway 16 continued to the right-hand end of actuating shaft 24. The lubricant connection 19 can then be tapped directly into passageway 16 as will be understood.

In Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, there is illustrated a modified form of mechanism for communicating the motion of the actuating rod to the expansible segments. 'I'he segments 65 are actuated by rod 66 upon which a plurality of pistons 61 are mounted, these pistons having cylinders 68. As before, one cylinder is provided for each pair of segments, but the cylinders are placed intermediate the segments so that there is a greater spacing between segments. Actuating rod 66 is provided opposite each pair of segments with a set of rack teeth 69 which coact withpinion teeth 10 mounted at the center of an elongated double nut member 1|. The end portions of double nut Y member 1| are threaded in opposite directions and Vcorrespondingly threaded stems 12 and 13 are fixed to the segments 65. Hence, the movement of rod 66 in one direction by cylinder 68 causes the rotation of the double nut member 1| andV thus f forces outwardlythe stems 12 and 13 and the segments 65. The opposite movement of actuating rod 66 causes segments. Y Y

Each segment is provided withtwo threaded stems 12 or 13 so that it is supported at each end against clamping pressure." Moreover, 'each stem 12Yon one side of'the drill supporting arm or column'is'in'axial alignment with the doublenut 1| and with the opposite threaded stem 13 so that the clamping stress of the segments is borne entirelyi by 'the stems 12 and 13 and the double Athe positive retraction of the from actuating rod 66. i

With this construction the actuating rod 66 is not mounted concentrically with the supporting arm or column as before, and the cylinders 68 threaded nut 1|, and all such stress is maybe mounted directly upon the interior wall of the arm or column as indicated in Fig. 14. TheV air ducts 14 and 15 are both situated on the same side of the cylinders 68.

It will be understood that this modified actuating mechanism may be used for moving the clamping segments of either the cross arm 4 or the column I, or both, and that controlling valves will be provided as previously described.

Referring now to Figs. 16 and 17, there is here illustrated a modified form of the holding device 6. Instead of being held together by the H-bolt, its jaw members 80 and 8| are connected by means of a king bolt 82 made in two separate halves 83 and 84 which are connected together by a pivot pin 85 so as to allow the clamping movement of the jaw members to take place. It will be understood that the lower jaws of this modified holding device engage the arm 4 while the upper jaws engage the conical base 2| of the drill 5.

TheVright-hand half of the king bolt is held in position in its aperture in jaw member 8| by means of a nut 86 which is set up tight after the assembly of these two parts, this half of the king bolt being fixed permanently in position. The other half 83 of the king bolt is threaded at its outer end to receive an elongated sleeve 81 which is intended to be turned by hand without the use of a wrench. It may be knurled or otherwise roughened to provide a good gripping surface for the hand'.

In use, the slack or clearance between the upper jaws and conical base 2| and between the lower jaws and expanding segments 9 is taken up by turning the sleeve 81. Then fluid pressure valve I3 is opened to cause segments 9 to expand and clamp the drilling machine in place. With this form of holding device, the threaded sleeve and bolt permits of a fine adjustment by hand of the tightness of the device when the drilling machine is loose, or, in other words, unclamped. The operator will soon learn just the adjustment of this sleeve to give him freedom to swing his machine and just the tightness to keep the machine from fiopping over. Moreover, by taking up the clearance by means of the threaded sleeve 81, the necessary outward movement of segments 9 can be reduced for the same length of travel of the actuating rod 24 and hence the angle of the wedgng cams 25 and 26 can be made less steep, thus producing greater pressure against the movable segments 9 and increasing the clamping pressure of the apparatus.

In Figs. 118 and 19 there is shown a further modification of holding device 6. This form of holding device is like that just described in connection with Figs. 16 and 17 except for the construction of the king pin.' As shown in Fig. 18, the two halves of king pin 88 are connected together by interlocking or coupling heads 89 and so. These heads are hooked together assnown in Fig. 18 and held in this position by the walls of apertures 9| and 92. 'Ihese interlocking heads Y motion of the clamping members, is provided for through the curvature of the heads 89 and 90 and the allowance of a slight clearance between the various parts, that is, between the two heads themselves and also between the heads and the walls of'apertures 9| and 92.

By means of thepresent invention much of the drudgery attendant upon the moving of a rock drill from one position to another is eliminated, thev change maybe made in much less time than formerly required, and the drill is securely held in position so that the annoyance of having the drill shift its position during operation is avoided.. This positive holding of the drill in any desired position is obtained because of the fact that the clamping pressures which are produced by the segment operating mechanism which I have provided are greater than can be obtained with the use of clamping bolts and nuts, even when the Wrench for setting up these parts is manipulated by a man of unusual strength.

It' will be understood that the foregoing are exemplifying disclosures of the apparatus of my invention and that changes may be made in the construction of the supporting mechanism and still vretain the gist or spirit of my invention. The scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine on said supporting member,` securing means on said supporting member to engage said holding device, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by the-securing means onsaidsupporting member for holding the drilling machine in position.

2. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device having pivoted clamping means coacting with they drilling machine and with said supporting member to mount the drilling machine thereon, engaging elements on said supporting member for expanding one end of said holding device and simultaneously. contracting the opposite end thereof, thereby securing said holding device to said supporting member and said drilling machine'to said supporting device, and means for actuating said engaging elements.

3. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device adjustably mounted on said supporting member, securing means associated with said supporting member for engaging the holding device in adjusted position thereon, fluid pressure, means for actuating said securing means, and clamping means onsaid holding device actuated by the securing means associated with said supporting member for holding the drilling machine in position.

4. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a supporting member, a securing element on said supporting member, a drilling machine support carried by said supporting member and fixed in position on said supporting member through the action of said securing element, actuating means within said supporting member for actuating said element, and connections between said element varid-said actuating means for causing the element to be moved to securing position.

5,. Av supporting-"mechanism forv drilling machines comprising the combination ofl a hollow cylindrical supiliorting` member, a pair of oppositely disposed clamping` segments projecting through apertures in said supporting member, wedging means disposed between said clamping segments for forcing said segments apart and causing their surfaces to extend beyond the surfaces of` said supporting member, means within said supporting member Vfor actuating said wedging. means, andi interlocking sliding con nections between the, said wedging means and the clamping elements so as to positively move said elements` both into and out of clamping position. l f

6. A supporting mechanism.'` for drilling machines co-mprisingthe combination of a hollow cylindrical supportingv member, a pair of oppositely disposed clamping segments projecting through apertures in saidy supporting member, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted betweenl the oppositely disposed clampingv segments, a piston in said cylinderhaving a pistony rod connected therewith-and projecting through both ends of the cylinder, wedging means mounted upon each end of said piston rod, andlfeet at each end of saidA segments, extendingv towards said wedging means and having camsurfaces coacting therewith for forcing saidisegmentsto-clamping position. Y

7.- A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combinationof a hollow cylindrical supporting member, a, pair olf-oppositely disposed clampingv segmentsprojecting through apertures in said. supporting member, a

double opposed oppositely threaded nutl, a.

threadedstempneach of said segments engaging o-ne of the threads of saidnut, and means for-rotating said nut to operate said clamping segments into and out of clamping position.

8. A` supporting mechanism forvdrilling machines comprising.thecombinationv of a hollow cylindrical supportingmember having throughout-its length` spacedaperturesj arranged in pairs diametrically opposite-oneanother, oppositely placed pairs of clamping-segmentsy in said apertures, double. opposed nuts-for actuating said clamping segments, an actuating -rod arranged to rotate all-of vsaid nuts-simultaneously, and a plurality of coacting pistons and cylinders for moving the actuating rod.v

9. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprisingthe combination of a supportlng member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine onsaid supportingmember, a pair`A of oppositely disposed segments projecting through apertures in said supporting member, double opposed actuating means between the opposed segments for forcing said segments apart and causing their surfaces to extend beyond the surfaces ofsaidv supporting member to engage saidholding-device, meanswithin said supporting member for actuating said wedging means, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by the said segmentsl for holding the drilling machine in position. I

10. A supporting mechanism for drilling machinesV comprisingthe combination of a supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine on said supporting member, a pair of oppositely disposed segments projecting through apertures in said supporting member, wedging means disposed between said segments for forcing said segments apart and causing their surfaces to extend beyond the surfaces of'said supporting memberto engage said holding device, means Withinsaid member for actuating said wedging means, and clamping means on said holding device 'actuated by said segments and holding the drilling machine in position.

11. A supporting mechanism-for drilling machines comprising the combination of a supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine on said supporting member, a pair of opposltely disposed segments projecting through apertures in said supporting member, wedging means disposed between said segments for forcing said segments apart and causing their surfaces toextend beyond the surfaces of said supporting member to engage said holding device, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted between said segments for actuating said'wedging means, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by said segments for holding the drilling machine in position.

V12. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a hollow cylindrical supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding devicev for the drilling machine on said supporting member, saidV member having a plurality of apertures arranged in spaced relation throughout the-length thereof, a segment mounted .to reciprocate radially in each of said apertures, actuating means for each of said segments for reciprocating the same to cause them to engage said holding device, a power device for operating each of said' actuating means, means interconnecting said power devices so `as to transmit the work done by said devices to each of said segments, and means on said holding device actuated by said segments for holding the drilling machine in position. Y Y

13. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a hollow cylindrical supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device" for the drilling machine on said supporting membensaid member having a plurality of apertures arranged in spaced'relation throughout thelength thereof, a segment mounted to reciprocate' radially in each of said apertures, actuating means for each of said segments for reciprocating the'same to cause them to engage said holding device, awfluid pressure cylinder having a piston thereinfor operating each of said actuating devices, means interconnecting the pistons of said cylinders so as to transmit the combined pressure from said pistons to'each of said segments, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by said segments for holding the drilling machine in position. A

14. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a hollow cylindrical supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling ,machine on said supporting member, said member having throughout its length spaced apertures arranged in pairs diametrically opposite l one another, oppositely placed pairs of segmentsV in said apertures, an

actuating rod extending longitudinally within said supporting member having double opposed cams for actuating said segments to engage said holding device, said cams being mounted in spaced relation thereon between each of said pairs of segments, means for shifting said rod longitudinally to move said segments to clamping position, and clamping means on said holdingdevice actuated by said segments for holding thedrilling machine in position. Y

f "15. A supporting mechanism for drillingrmachines comprisingthe combination of a hollovt'r cylindrical supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine on said supporting member, said member having throughout its length spaced apertures arranged in pairs diametrically opposite one another, oppositely placed pairs of segments in said apertures, an actuating rod extending longitudinally within said supporting member having double opposed cams for actuating said segments to engage said holding device, said cams being mounted in( spaced relation thereon between each of saidpairs of segments, a plurality of pistons mounted. on the actuating rod, cylinders cooperating with said pistons, means for controlling a supply of pressure iluid to said cylinders to cause said engaging segments to bemoved to engaging position; and clamping means on said holding device actuated by said segments for holdingthe drilling machine in position.

16. A supporting mechanism for drilling ma'.-

chines comprising the combination of a hollow cylindrical supporting member, a drilling machine', a holding device for the drilling machine on said supporting member, a securing element movable lin an aperture in the side of said supporting member to engage said holding device, actuating means for forcing said member outwardly, fluid pressure means within said hollow supporting member for operating said actuating means, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by'said element for holding the drilling machine in position.

V17. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a hollow cylindrical supporting member, a drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine on said supporting member, a securing element movable lin an aperture in the side of said supporting member to engage said-holding device, wedging means for forcing saidmember outwardly, means for actuating said wedging means, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by said element for holding the drilling machine in position. 18. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combination of a hollow cylindrical supporting member, aV drilling machine, a holding device for the drilling machine von said supporting member, a securing element movable in an aperture in the side of said supporting member to engage said holding device, wedging means for forcing said member outwardly, iluid pressure means including a cylinder lwithin said hollow supporting member for actuating said wedging means, and clamping means on said holding device actuated by said element for holding the drilling machine in position;

19. In a supporting mechanism for drilling maychines the combination of an elongated supporting member having a plurality of outwardly movable segments distributed throughouty its working length, means for supporting a drilling machine -having an aperture for receiving said elongated supporting member and adapted to be clamped thereon at any desired position throughout the length of said member by the engagement of said segments with the walls of said aperture, and power-operated means within said elongated supporting member for moving said segments outwardly into clamping position.

20. A supporting mechanism for drilling machines comprising the combinationof an elongated supporting member, a plurality of outward- 1y movable segments arranged in spaced relation throughout the length of said supporting member, means for actuating said segments, and. a drilling machine support carried by said supporting member and adapted to be secured thereto by the outward movement of said segments, the

spacing of said segments being less than. the width of said drilling machine support, so that the support can be secured to the elongated supporting member at any position throughout the length of said member.

ARCHIBALD R. LAWRENCE. 

